All careersEngineering & science

Forensic Science Technician

$67,440
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes and the lab to support investigations.

Where you work

Crime scenes and forensic labs.

The hours

Full-time, with on-call and some night calls

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$67,440
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~2,900
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+13%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
20,700
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Bachelor's degree

Training path: Bachelor's degree + training.

License or certification

No license required to start in most places.

What it takes

Evidence handlingLab analysisDocumentationAttention to detail

The honest take

Growing faster than most science roles, though popular shows make entry competitive.

Standard Occupational Classification 19-4092. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.